This morning, U.S. Silica employees at the Utica facility who are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 went on strike in protest of Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) committed by the employer. The charges filed by Local 150 claim that the 26 employees, who operate and maintain equipment at the facility, were unlawfully interrogated and surveilled while participating in federally protected union activity.
“Federal law clearly states that workers have a right to engage in protected union activities, free of interference from their employers,” said Local 150 President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney. “U.S. Silica repeatedly violated these workers’ rights, and we will ensure that the company is held accountable for these Unfair Labor Practices.”
Interrogation and surveillance of employees’ protected union activities are a violation of Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. These ULP charges are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.